FanDuel MLB Daily Lineups: Monday August 13

Welcome back to the FanDuel MLB Daily Lineups column. This is the Monday, August 13th 2018 edition. We’re a fantasy baseball column focused on helping you build a DFS MLB optimal lineup for each slate.

Max Scherzer has to be very frustrated today, along with anyone who played him in FanDuel MLB last night. After pitching one of his best games of the season, blanking the Cubs for seven innings while fanning 11 hitters, the Nats lose to the Cubs 4-3 after Ryan Madsen gives up a grand slam in the bottom of the ninth. Ouch.

If you had Scherzer in your lineup, he still gave you plenty of points. But considering how expensive he is, you likely needed that extra six points from the win to help make up for all the value plays you sacrifice to play such a top notch pitcher.

Historically, grabbing the top pitcher plays of the day is the best way to win both Cash and GPP. Although, it’s significantly harder to win that way with GPP as your lineup needs to be very unique.

This season, we’ve noticed a trend since early-to-mid June where playing value pitchers with great offensive stacks allows you to easily win both Cash and GPP plays. I don’t like calling them ‘punt plays’ either, but there is actual logic behind picking most of my value pitchers…they’re actually good.

Before we get there, a reminder to never take a DFS MLB optimal lineup as ‘bible’ for your personal lineup each day. Use the suggestions as guidance. Also, make sure you follow final lineup thoughts throughout the day on our twitter account @FantasyCPR or me @mattymcmatt17 look for late breaking lineup news.

Weather Note: Considering we only have 11 games tonight, the weather conditions aren’t ideal. Three games concern me the most. The Subway Series between the Mets and Yankees, in New York of course, has some delay and postponement risk. However, the good news is most of the weather issues could potentially clear out in time for the game. Or, we see a brief delay.

The Blue Jays and Royals are the biggest weather-related consider tonight, with showers and thunderstorms risking both a delay and potential postponement. In fact, this is likely the highest risk game tonight, and we’ll most likely fade the game completely.

The game in Arlington, Texas between the Diamondbacks and Rangers also has some rain and storm concerns today. However, of the three it seems to be the least likely to be delayed and very unlikely to be postponed.

With weather-related considerations addressed, let’s get to the top pitching options…

FanDuel MLB: Top Pitcher Main Slate

I never hate playing Jacob deGrom ($11,200) in DFS MLB optimal lineups. This guy is a stud, averaging almost 45 FanDuel MLB points per game. In fact, he’s a similar play to Max Scherzer, who we mentioned earlier. But, I also don’t love playing any pitcher in Yankee stadium this season. Especially paying up $11.2K for that much risk in a big points lineup spot.

Clayton Kershaw ($10,800) is generally still struggling. I mean, I know the A’s a good team this season, but he only had one strikeout in six innings against Oakland last week. I can’t remember the last time Kershaw went that lone with only one strikeout. Even against the Giants, meh.

If you’ve been playing FanDuel MLB lately, you know to stay away from Luis Severino ($10,300) right now? Right? Holy regression!!! Zack Greinke ($10,200) isn’t a bad play against the Rangers and Madison Bumgarner ($9,600) appears to be emerging, but if there is better value on the list tonight, I’m going that route over these studs.

When I went to look at value, I was shocked by the first two names I saw. Sean Reid-Foley ($5,500) is getting his first start of the season against the Royals and Artie Lewicki ($5,500) is getting a shot at the White Sox.

Especially because of the weather, between the two I like Lewicki the most. But also, Artie’s pitching metrics have been impressive through his short relief stints in the majors this season.

Keep in mind these are greatly skewed by the fact that he only threw in relief, but still, a 0.92 xFIP and 50% K-rate in 34 innings is jaw-dropping. Even for relief pitching, those are fantastic stats. Next, keep in mind who he’s facing…the White Sox.

Yes, the same Chicago White Sox who have a leagues worst 27.8% K-rate against right-handed pitchers since July 1st. There is the potential for 40 to 50 points out of a $5.5K play in Artie tonight. So we’re going to start there, and basically put whatever offensive stacks in our lineup we want to.

FanDuel MLB: Top Hitting Stacks Main Slate

We’ve played them in several offensive stacks this season, but I realize the Oakland Athletics aren’t exactly the sexiest DFS MLB optimal lineup options this season. Aside from maybe Khris Davis ($4,000) and his 34-home runs power bat, most of the A’s offensives players aren’t well know.

Also, I get that Marco Gonzales is having a solid season. But, over the last month, Marco’s metrics are showing signs of regression (think, Severino). His xFIP is a decent 3.52, but while his season ERA is 3.79, in the last month it jumps to 5.55. Even better (or worse if you’re playing him), Gonzales is giving up 2.22 home runs per nine innings in the last month.

We have plenty of cash for our offensive plays, so grab Davis for the home run value, and any other of the top four or five hitters from the A’s lineup tonight. Although, we may grab one or two cheap bats to really load up on start players for offense tonight.

Our next two targets are the Tigers against Reynaldo Lopez and Diamondbacks against Bartolo Colon. Why? Because, regression. Both Lopez and Colon are also struggling significantly over the last month. Each pitcher has an xFIP now climbing toward 6.00. The both have an ERA over 6.00 and while Colon is ‘only’ giving up 1.5 home runs per nine innings, Lopez is hovering around three a game.

Alright, let’s wrap this up…

FanDuel MLB: Summary and Example Lineup

Sure there are solid pitching plays on the mound tonight, like Greinke or Bumgarner. But we love the potential massive value Lewicki brings to our lineup. There’s plenty of risk, but his pitching metrics match up well against the White Sox terrible bats against RHP’s in the last couple of months.

Even with plenty cash on the table, we’re going to start our offense but stacking the top bats from the Athletics. We’re also grabbing some bats from the Tigers. I want Paul Goldschmidt ($4,300) and David Peralta ($3,700) against Colon, so I may also play a red-hot Niko Goodrum ($2,200) from the Tigers lineup.

Still with plenty of cash on the table, and recognizing Homer Bailey is pitching to the Indians tonight, we’re going to cap our lineup off with Jose Ramirez ($5,000) and Frisco Lindor ($5,000) in either the 3B/SS or Utility positions.

With that summary in mind, here’s a look at a sample lineup for the Main FanDuel MLB slate on Monday, August 13th 2018:

FanDuel MLB Main Sample Lineup: 

P               Artie Lewicki ($5,500)

C/1B        Paul Goldschmidt ($4,300)

2B             Niko Goodrum ($2,200)

3B             Jose Ramirez ($5,000)

SS             Marcus Semien ($3,000)

OF             Khris Davis ($4,000)

OF             Mark Canha ($2,300)

OF             David Peralta ($3,700)

UTIL         Francisco Lindor ($5,000)

Remaining Salary: $0

Note: This is a recommended lineup after discussing our top options for today. You should use this as a guide, and provide your own input when building FanDuel MLB lineups.  We are not telling you, or selling you, to use this lineup.

Best of luck in your FanDuel MLB contests and stay tuned to Fantasy CPR for all your DFS news and analysis across MLB, NFL, PGA, and NASCAR this summer!